Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

parley

Syllabification: (par·ley)
Pronunciation: /ˈpärlē/
Definition of parley

noun (plural parleys)

  • a conference between opposing sides in a dispute, especially a discussion of terms for an armistice.

verb (parleys, parleying, parleyed)

[no object]
  • hold a conference with the opposing side to discuss terms:they disagreed over whether to parley with the enemy

Origin:

late Middle English (denoting speech or debate): perhaps from Old French parlee 'spoken', feminine past participle of the verb parler

parley in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of parley in the British & World English dictionary
  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

cur

/ kəː /
noun
an aggressive or unkempt dog …